Quincey Jones Jelly celebrated a milestone in Moama this week. Pictured are Natalie Harley, Zara Harley, owner Tim Harley, Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley and Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
A small business owner in Moama is harvesting the fruits of his labour — and preserving them — with the opening of a new purpose-built manufacturing facility.
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Quincey Jones Jelly owner Tim Harley welcomed Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, Murray River Council leaders, and family to the opening of the business’ new premises on Monday, August 11.
Murray River Council Cr Gen Campbell, Natalie Harley, Gladys Harley, Tim Harley, Sussan Ley, Cr Joy Allan and Mayor John Harvie.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
The Moama factory is a significant step-up from Mr Harley’s double-garage, where his award-winning jams and preserves were made previously.
“We were an inch away from being shut down because we’d outgrown our last space,” he said.
“We’ve been looking for a new factory for a long time. Just physically finding the building was one of the hardest parts.”
After securing the building, Mr Harley said navigating the red-tape required to operate the factory was also challenging.
But its official opening was all about celebrating the hard-earned wins for the small business, which has steadily continued to grow.
Ms Ley, who has supported the business for several years, said she was excited to see it progress to another level.
Tim Harley and Sussan Ley cutting the red tape.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
“This was a small business, and I mean a really small business in a garage in Moama, and it’s taken a really big next step,” she said.
“The product is incredible, and it demonstrates everything that people love about homemade produce and rural and regional Australia.”
A large portion of the produce the business uses come from local sources, including figs from Echuca Village and tomatoes and stone fruits from Kyvalley.
Community members also often drop off quinces, lemons and other fruits to the business in exchange for products.
“We’re blessed because a lot of the produce I can get, that’s been picked from the tree that day,” Mr Harley said.
“If you make a jam that’s a fruit that’s been picked the other day, you can’t get fresher than that. It just tastes better.”
Mr Harley is now looking to avoid supermarkets, instead taking his product to international markets, with buyers already interested in New Zealand.
He has also been approached by someone in Singapore that represents online livestream shopping influencers, who have the potential to skyrocket sales.
Ms Ley said she would support a push by Mr Harley to flatten freight costs to metropolitan prices, as shipping is often more expensive in regional areas.
Sussan Ley and Tim Harley discussing the Quincey Jones Jelly products.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
“That’s a disadvantage to regional businesses,” she said.
“We know that regional businesses are very special, and they deserve to compete on that level playing field.”
Despite his busy schedule, Mr Harley plans to install a solar-powered battery system in the factory to accommodate night-time cooking, and expects to hire more employees.
At the opening, he took a moment to reflect, thanking his team and family for their unwavering support.
“So much work goes into something like this. It could be easy to forget to celebrate all the little and big milestones, and this is a big one for us,” Mr Harley said.
“Running a small business today is very challenging. There’s so many things in your way.
“When you get something like this to fruition, and you can see it, stand in it, and introduce people to it, you have to celebrate your win.”
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